Brisbane Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs is reportedly on the cusp of signing an extension, in a move which could have implications for the future of teammate Selwyn Cobbo — whom Staggs has had discussions with amid the awkward situation.
AAP reports Staggs, who is off contract at the end of the season, and the Broncos are in negotiations on a multi-year contract which is expected to be finalised in the near future.
It is understood the $2 million deal would keep Staggs at the club for at least the next three seasons.It comes after he was elevated to the club’s leadership group in the off season.
Staggs addressed his future at the Deadly Choices season launch in Brisbane on Thursday.
“As a young kid this is where I wanted to be and I couldn’t see myself anywhere else,” Staggs said.
“ I have just got to play good footy this year and perform well.
“My footy will do the talking and I have good people behind me who will do the talking as well. I will leave it in their hands.
“I love the club and have been signed at the club for 11 years. I’ve played first-grade for eight. It means a lot to me. I am comfortable here.”
The Broncos face a salary cap squeeze at Red Hill and Staggs’ impending signature could make it difficult to retain Selwyn Cobbo.
Speaking on SEN radio last month, AAP reporter Gould revealed it was unlikely that the Broncos would be able to table a big money offer.
“I don’t think it’s the time where the Broncos are going to be throwing a whole lot of money at Selwyn Cobbo to keep him,” Gould said.
“I think Selwyn Cobbo would want to stay at the Broncos given his family situation that he has close by in Cherbourg, but I don’t see that there’s a rush for it. I.
“I think Cobbo is the one who might move on if one of (Staggs and Cobbo) did. But I don’t see that as something Michael Maguire is looking at right now (so early in the season).
“I think it’s about ‘let’s get these guys to fire (across the first five or six rounds) and then I’ll make my call on them.”
Staggs, however, made it clear he wants his teammate to remain at the club long-term — as he’s discussed with Cobbo himself.
“A club has only got a certain amount of money but I would love for us to stay,” he said.
“Me and Selwyn … even I have talked to him about it and he loves the club as much as I do.
“All we want to do is play good footy for the club and he will have the same people behind him supporting him.
“I love being around Cobbo. That little smile when he walks in every day to training, you know he is there to train but he is relaxed and chilled and doesn’t talk much.
“When we do get him talking, he does get us smiling. I love that about him.
“Selwyn is Selwyn and I can’t wait to get back on the field with him.”
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